Stanford’s ‘Cowbell kid’ makes ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ appearance

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Pictured is Alex Chang, a member of the Stanford band who was catapulted into the popular consciousness when he was shown on national television playing the cowbell with his band mates during one of Stanford’s NCAA basketball tournament games. Chang appeared on the “Jimmy Kimmel Show” Tuesday. (Courtesy Stanford University)

Stanford student Alex Chang has gained a cult following since his courtside cowbell playing expertise was on display in the Cardinal’s NCAA win over Kansas. That paid off in an appearance Tuesday night on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for the most famous member of Stanford’s already legendary band.

Clips and photos of Chang’s playing and mugging for the camera in Stanford’s win over Kansas on Sunday have picked up steam online. Especially so for those of us who want “more cowbell.” The cowbell, a staple in some classic rock music, gained camp status in the famous “Saturday Night Live” sketch with Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell.

Chang is a mechanical engineering major and is part of the band’s drum section. When asked by Kimmel if it was a demotion to be the cowbell guy, Chang smiled and said “Does it look like a demotion?”

Otto Warmbier was arrested in January 2016 at the end of a brief tourist visit to North Korea. He had been medically evacuated and was being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center when he died at age 22.